System and envelope for mailing and return of an object through the post

ABSTRACT

A foliaceous pre-cut blank has a rectangular back part and, joined thereto, at least one side flap, a bottom flap and a closing flap. A first fold line is located at the transition from the back part to the closing flap. The closing flap is divided into first and second sections by a second fold line running in parallel to the first fold line, the first section being located between the first and second fold lines. The blank is conveniently assembled into an envelope. A first adhesive strip seals the envelope for a first mailing, and a second adhesive strip can be used to seal the envelope for a return mailing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an envelope for postal dispatch andparticularly to the design and use of an envelope for mailing throughthe post at least twice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the increasing application of the Internet and the superseding ofthe conventional video tape by the DVD, the field of business of onlinevideo stores has established in Internet trade. The operators of such anonline video store (“lenders”) usually provide a Web portal throughwhich they offer CDs or DVDs on a loan basis. The CDs or DVDs areusually dispatched to the customers by post and are later sent back bythe customers to the lender. Usually, the lenders provide pre-addressedand prepaid envelopes for this purpose.

Due to the high customer transparency of the Internet, there isgenerally a high price pressure in Internet trade and specifically inthe field of online video stores. To reduce costs it is thereforeadvantageous if the envelopes or dispatch units used can be prepaid atthe lowest postage possible and the manufacture and use thereof can bemade as cost-effective as possible. Thereby, the use of one and the sameenvelope for dispatch and return has proven to be especially suitable.

Accordingly, DE 203 10 755 U1 proposes an envelope as shown in FIG. 1.This envelope is formed of a foliaceous pre-cut blank with a back partand, adjacent thereto, side flaps 103L and 103R, a bottom flap 102 and aclosing flap 107. In the areas 104L and 104R, the bottom flap 102 isglued to the back part through the side flaps 103L and 103R. Thus, apocket 105 is generated between the portions 104L and 104R, wherein theCD or DVD 114 to be dispatched can be accommodated.

A perforation 108 extends transversely over the closing flap 107, suchperforation dividing the closing flap into an upper section 107O and alower section 107U. A franking imprint 112 (used in Germany) is locatedon the outer side of the upper section 107O, and the customer's address111H for dispatch to the customer is printed on the outer side of thelower section 107U. A further franking imprint and the return address111R of the lender is located on the respective positions on the bottomflap 102.

For dispatch to the customer, the closing flap 107 is folded along afold line 106 and is attached on the bottom flap 102 by means of anadhesive strip 109U. For return dispatch, the customer tears the lowersection 107U along the perforation 108 off the opened envelope, foldsagain the upper section 107O along the fold line 106 in the directiontowards the bottom flap and attaches it on the bottom flap by means of afurther adhesive strip 109O.

During outgoing dispatch and return dispatch, the Deutsche Post (GermanPostal Service) usually applies a bar code onto the envelope, underneaththe address field 111H or 111R, respectively. It turned out that if theclosing flap 107 is so short that during dispatch, the bar code is notprinted onto the closing flap 107 but onto the bottom flap 102,confusions and corresponding unnecessary long dispatch times are caused.The bar code is then not removed by tearing off the lower section 107Ualong the perforation and remains visible on the bottom flap 102 alsoduring return dispatch.

To solve the problem described above, DE 20 2004 010 844 U1 presents anenvelope as shown in FIG. 2. Similar to the envelope of FIG. 1, thisenvelope is also formed of a foliaceous pre-cut blank with a back part201, a side flap 203R, a bottom flap 202 and a closing flap 207. Bygluing the bottom flap 202 to the back part 201 in the area 204L and bygluing the bottom flap 202 to the side flap 203R, a pocket 205 is formedagain into which the CD or DVD to be dispatched can be inserted.

Also analogously to the envelope of FIG. 1, the closing flap 207 isdivided by a transverse perforation 208 into an upper section 207O and alower section 207U on which adhesive strips 2090 and 209U are located,which are covered by pull-off strips 210O, 210U. The height of thecomposite closing flap 207 substantially corresponds to the height ofthe back part 201, so that when the envelope is closed for dispatch, theentire or essentially the entire bottom flap 202 is covered by theclosing flap 207. Thereby, the bar code of the Deutsche Post is printedduring dispatch on the lower section 207U of the closing flap 207, andwhen the lower section 207 is torn off along the perforation 208, thebar code is removed as well. However, it is to be mentioned that thepossibility that the closing flap 107, 207 extends over nearly theentire height of the envelope was already mentioned in the abovedocument referring to FIG. 1.

For dispatch in the envelope of FIG. 2, the CD or DVD 214 is insertedinto a protective cover 215 which is then inserted into the pocket 205of the envelope. The protective cover 215 is also used for storing theCD or DVD 214 at the lender. This is supported by printing informationon the CD or DVD in the data fields 216 onto the protective cover 215.

Both described envelopes of FIGS. 1 and 2 suffer from the disadvantagethat the closing flap 107, 207 must be perforated. This increases themanufacturing complexity and therefore also the manufacturing costs.Besides that, the perforation 108, 208 holds the risk to be torn off tooeasily or too difficultly.

In the first case of a perforation 108, 208 that can be torn off tooeasily, the lower section 107U, 207U could be torn off already whenimprinting or equipping the envelope. The envelope would then have to bereplaced, which increases the manufacturing costs. In the second case itwould be possible that in the attempt by the customer of tearing off thelower section 107U, 207U, the closing flap 107, 207 does not properlyrip along the perforation 108, 208. Parts of the lower section 107U,207U could then remain on the closing flap so that imprints 111R, 112,211R, 213 necessary for the return dispatch would be covered. Parts ofthe upper section 107O, 207O could also be torn off, which would lead tothe effect that the envelope can no longer be entirely closed. In theworst case, the envelope becomes unemployable for the return dispatch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an envelope for mailing through the postat least twice, which reduces manufacturing and handling costs and whichincreases convenience for the user.

In one embodiment, the envelope of the present invention does not have aperforation of the closing flap, which makes the manufacturing processmore simple and therefore reduces manufacturing costs. Besides that, theabove described problems caused by a perforation are avoided, which alsolowers the handling costs and makes the envelope more convenient for theuser. Furthermore, the claimed envelope is also suitable for storing thedispatch content, e.g. of CDs or DVDs of a video store, which furtherreduces the overall handling costs.

Other aspects of the invention include:

the division of the closing flap approximately at a ratio of 1:1, sothat the envelope can be prepared for dispatch particularly easily;

the simultaneous imprint of a dispatch address field onto the bottomflap and of a return dispatch address field on the second section of theclosing flap, further accelerating the dispatch handling process andincreasing user convenience;

an adhesive strip on the second section of the closing flap that closesthe envelope for return dispatch in a manner that both sections of theclosing flap come to lie upon the bottom flap, which enables a simpleand safe preparation of the envelope for return dispatch;

the selection of a closing flap length that almost reaches the entireheight of the bottom flap, avoiding the simultaneous visibility of thebar code of the Deutsche Post for dispatch and return dispatch;

an adhesive strip on the second section of the closing flap that fixesthe closing flap on the back part of the envelope, allowing a simple andsafe use of the envelope for storing the CD or DVD at the lender; and

the imprint of a data field or data fields onto the bottom flap withinformation on the content of the envelope, facilitating the processesnecessary for storage (an additional protective/storage cover for the CDor DVD thereby becomes dispensable).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be explained on the basisof the figure drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an envelope known from the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a further envelope known from the priorart;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of an envelope according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 3showing it partially folded for printing;

FIG. 5 is a corresponding front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 3after partial folding and printing;

FIG. 6 is a corresponding front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 3being prepared for dispatch;

FIG. 7 is a corresponding front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 3ready for dispatch;

FIG. 8 is a corresponding front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 3showing the opening of the envelope by the addressee;

FIG. 9 is a corresponding front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 3being prepared for return dispatch;

FIG. 10 is a corresponding front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 3ready for return dispatch;

FIG. 11 is a corresponding front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 3illustrating a first step of opening the envelope by the addressee ofthe return dispatch;

FIG. 12 is a corresponding front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 3illustrating a second step of opening the envelope by the addressee ofthe return dispatch;

FIG. 13 is a corresponding front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 3illustrating a third step of opening the envelope by the addressee ofthe return dispatch;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation of an envelope according to a secondembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a corresponding front elevation of the envelope of FIG. 14prepared for dispatch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The envelope in accordance with the present invention shown in FIG. 3 isformed of a foliaceous pre-cut blank. The envelope blank has arectangular back part 301 to whose two shorter sides are connected theside flaps 303L (at a first lateral side of the back part) and 303R (atan opposite, second lateral side of the back part). A rectangular bottomflap 302 is joined to the back part at a third bottom side thereof, anda rectangular top closing flap 307 is joined to the back part at afourth, top side thereof. By reversing the side flaps 303L and 303R andthe bottom flap 302 and gluing the bottom flap 302 to the side flaps303L and 303R, a pocket is formed in which one or several pieces to bedispatched can be received. The pocket is closed at the bottom by thefold between the back part 301 and the bottom flap 302. The top of thepocket between the free edge of the bottom flap 302 and the back part301 is open for insertion of an object into the pocket.

In the present embodiment, the envelope was designed for the dispatch ofCDs or DVDs of an online video store. In order to prevent such rounddispatch pieces from sliding back and forth in the envelope, a sidemargin 304L of the bottom flap 302 is glued to the back part 301. Thedimensions of the back part 301 and of the gluing area 304L were chosensuch that the pocket 305 has an almost square shape and its side lengthsare only slightly larger than the diameter of the CD or DVD to bedispatched. This CD or DVD can therefore move in the pocket with smalltolerance only.

This effect may as an alternative also be achieved by a narrowerselection of the gluing area 304L and by a further gluing of the bottomflap 302 to the back part 301 in the area of the side flap 303R. Inother embodiments, the bottom flap 302 may also be glued to the backpart along spaced gluing lines. Furthermore, one or both side flaps303L, 303R can be deleted and the side edge portions of the back part301 and bottom flap 302 can be glued directly to each other, leaving atop opening pocket of a desired size between the glued portions.Alternatively, by the gluing of the bottom flap 302 to the side flaps303L and 303R only (without section 304L), a pocket 305 would beproduced whose dimensions correspond to those of the back part 301. Suchan embodiment may particularly be used if it is not CDs or DVDs that areto be dispatched but, for instance, documents. Other designs of thepocket 305 are also possible.

In the embodiment shown, the dimensions of the back part 301 are adaptedsuch that the envelope corresponds to the standards of the Deutsche Postfor a standard letter, which contributes to minimizing the requiredpostage. Particularly, the back part has a width of 17 cm and a heightof 12.2 cm. The gluing area 304L in the present example has a width of4.5 cm so that the pocket 305 formed has a width of 12.5 cm and a heightof 12.2 cm. Other dimensions are, however, also conceivable. Theenvelope could, for instance, correspond to standard measures or haveany other dimensions.

By the special design of the closing flap 307 according to the presentembodiment, the use of the envelope for mailing through post at leasttwice, i.e. successively to two different addressees is enabled. Mailingon the first dispatch way will sometimes hereinafter be designated as“dispatch” and mailing on the second dispatch way will sometimes bedesignated as “return dispatch”. These designations only serve forsimplification and do not necessarily mean that the addressee of thesecond dispatch must be identical with the sender of the first dispatch.

As may be seen from FIG. 3, the closing flap 307 is divided into tworectangular sections 307I and 307A. The section 307A which is the “outersection” in FIGS. 6 to 8 is attached to a fold line 306 located at thetransition from the top side of the back part 301 to the closing flap307. The “inner section” 307I hereinafter designates the remaining partof the closing flap 307.

The two sections 307A and 307I are separated from one another by afurther fold line 317. The fold line 317 divides the closing flap 307according to the embodiment shown approximately at a ratio of about 1:1,i.e., approximately equal heights, measured from the fold line 306 tofold line 317 (part 307A) and from fold line 317 to the free edge offlap 307 remote from that fold line (part 307I). However, differentembodiments are also conceivable, in which the two sections 307I and307A have different proportions. Preferably, the inner section 307I willbe only slightly shorter than the outer section 307A.

It is to be noted that the closing flap 307 in the present embodiment isneither perforated along the folding line 317 nor at any other position.

For closing the envelope for return dispatch, described in more detailbelow, an adhesive strip 309 is located on the inner section 307I and iscovered by a pull-off strip 310. A further adhesive strip 318, which isalso covered by a pull-off strip 319, is located on the bottom flap 302.By adhesive strip 318 the envelope is closed for dispatch, as will beexplained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

The division of the closing flap 307 makes it possible that the envelopecan be imprinted in a simple working step with all data necessary fordispatch and for return dispatch. For this purpose, the inner section307I is reversed in the direction towards the bottom flap 302 along thefold line 317, as may be seen in FIG. 4. According to the embodiment,the longitudinal free edge of the inner section 307I will come to lieapproximately upon the fold line 306. In FIG. 5, the accordingly foldedenvelope of the embodiment is shown.

As may be seen in FIG. 5, the envelope can have different imprints 311H,311R and 316 according to the illustrated embodiment. Particularly, theaddress 311H for the dispatch is printed onto the bottom flap 302. Thereversed side of the folded inner section 307I is printed with theaddress 311R for the return dispatch. One or both of the two addressfields 311H and 311R does not only include the address of the respectiveaddressee but also a postage line for franking according to theregulations of the Deutsche Post on the respective dispatch way, andboth areas are exposed at the same side (referred to as the “front” sideor face, i.e., facing the viewer) after folding of flap 307 to thecondition of FIG. 5.

Moreover, data fields 316 are printed onto the bottom flap 302 accordingto the embodiment, which can contain information on the CD or DVD to bedispatched. This may for instance be the title of the CD or DVD, itsmovie rating or further information in the form of a bar code. Similaror different information (not shown) can also be imprinted on differentlocations, e.g., on the inner section 307I.

The division and folding of the closing flap 307 according to thepresent embodiment makes it possible to apply all imprints 311H, 311Rand 316 onto the envelope in a single working step and at the same side(front side) such as by one or successive printing platens or otherimprint mechanism at the same side of an envelope to be printed. In thismanner, a quick and cost-effective dispatch handling is enabled, withoutthe risk of parts of the envelope, particularly the closing flap 307,being damaged or torn off, and without requiring multiple printing stepsor expensive or complicated printing equipment.

Further, it is enabled to attach the data necessary for dispatch, e.g.,the address or franking imprints 311H, 311R on locations which, when theenvelope is closed, comply with the standards of the Deutsche Post forautomated mail dispatch.

During dispatch by the Deutsche Post, a bar code is imprinted below thedispatch address field 311H. The size and positioning of the addressfield 311H is therefore chosen such that by the imprint of the bar codeby the Deutsche Post neither the readability of the informationcontained in the address field 311H nor the readability of the bar codeis affected. The positioning of the return address field 311Ranalogously takes this into consideration.

FIG. 6 illustrates the preparation of the printed envelope for dispatch.For this purpose, the pull-off strip 319 is removed from the adhesivestrip 318. Subsequently, the closing flap 307, reversed already onceaccording to FIG. 4, is reversed along the fold line 306 in thedirection toward the exposed outer surface of the bottom flap 302.Thereby, the inner section 307I comes to lie upon the bottom flap 302and the outer section 307A in turn comes to lie upon the inner section307I.

By the adhesive strip 318, the inner section 307I is fixed on the bottomflap 302, whereby the envelope is sealed. According to the presentembodiment, the adhesive strip is located slightly above the center ofthe bottom flap 302. It thereby fixes the inner section 307I in theproximity of the fold line 317 and is still fully covered by the innersection 307I. In other embodiments, the adhesive strip 318 may also belocalized at a different position.

According to the embodiment, in the closed condition of FIG. 7, thereturn address field (311R) located on the inner section 307I is nolonger visible for the dispatch. Further, the information fields 316 onthe bottom flap 302 are now covered by the closing flap 307. Thedispatch address field 311H also located on the bottom flap, however,remains visible for mailing on the first dispatch way. Thus, duringdispatch, only the outer section 307A and the part of the bottom flap302 on which the dispatch address field 311H is located are visible,whereas the inner section 307I and the part of the bottom flap 302 onwhich the data fields 316 are printed as well as the adhesive strip 318remain covered.

FIG. 8 illustrates opening of the envelope at the addressee of the firstdispatch way. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the sealing by theadhesive strip 318 has already been opened. If the adhesive is suitablyselected, this may for instance be implemented in that the closing flap307 is separated from the bottom flap 302, starting from an end of thefold line 317. The closing flap 307 is now further opened along the foldline 306 so that the dispatch pieces located in the pocket 305, e.g. CDsor DVDs, may be taken out of the envelope.

If the envelope is to be used again at a later date for dispatch on thesecond dispatch way, it is closed as shown in FIG. 9 after reinsertingthe CD/DVD to be returned. For this purpose, the closing flap 307 isopened again such that the inner section 307I is bent away from theouter section 307A along the folding line 317 until the sections areapproximately coplanar. Moreover, the pull-off strip 310 is torn off theadhesive strip 309 located on the inner section 307I so that the openedclosing flap 307 can be adhered to the bottom flap 302.

FIG. 10 illustrates the result of this process. The opened closing flap307 was reversed along the fold line 306 in the direction towards thebottom flap 302 and was attached thereon by means of the adhesive strip309. Thereby, the envelope is fully closed in a manner ready for returndispatch. Contrary to the dispatch, the address 311H printed onto thebottom flap 302 is now no longer visible. It is covered by the innersection 307I. Instead, the inner section 307I with the return address311R printed thereon and the outer section 307A are visible.

According to the present embodiment, the closing flap 307 is slightlysmaller than the bottom flap 302, so that parts of the bottom flap 302remain visible on the sides and on the bottom. The length of the closingflap 307 was chosen such that the bar code imprinted by the DeutschePost during dispatch is fully covered. Specifically, the closing flap ofthe present example is 12 cm long and thus 2 mm shorter than the bottomflap that has a height of 12.2 cm.

The envelope according to the embodiment is designed such that it can beused by the addressee of the second dispatch way, i.e., by the lender,for storing the CD or DVD located therein. For this purpose, theenvelope is opened as illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13.

First of all, the closing flap 307 is reversed along the fold line 306away from the bottom flap 302, as shown in FIG. 11. Thereby, theadhesive strip 309 comes off the bottom flap 302. Subsequently, theinner section 307I is reversed along the fold line 317 in the directionin which the return address field 311R comes to lie upon the outersection 307. This can be seen in FIG. 12.

The accordingly folded closing flap 307 is then further reversed,according to FIG. 13, along the fold line 306 from the bottom flap 302until finally the inner section 307 comes to lie upon the back part 301.The adhesive strip 309 that remained on the inner section 307I therebyfixes the closing flap 307 on the back part 301.

In this manner the envelope now forms a pocket open at the top, in whichthe DVD or CD can be stored. Since the closing flap 307 is fixed on theback part 301, the CD or DVD can be removed from the envelope easily andquickly, and particularly automatically. Thereby and, e.g., when theenvelope with the CD or DVD is sorted for storage purposes, no looseparts are flapping, especially not the closing flap 307, since it isfixedly connected to the back part 301. Furthermore, the informationimprints 316 are now visible again so that the information on the CD orDVD contained therein can be used for sorting. In this manner thetwo-way mailer is an additional protective or storage cover for the CDor DVD, since the envelope itself can be used for storage at the lender.

FIG. 14 shows the initial state of the envelope according to analternative embodiment. Contrary to the example shown in FIG. 3, theadhesive strip for closing the envelope on the dispatch way is notlocated on the bottom flap 302. Instead, as can be seen in FIG. 15, theenvelope is closed by means of an adhesive tape 320 which extends alongthe fold line 317 over the outer section 307A and the bottom flap 302.Thereby, the envelope is folded and printed as explained with referenceto FIGS. 4 to 7. In either embodiment, it is preferred that a reusable,releasable adhesive is used.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be appreciated that various changes can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. An envelope for mailing through the post at least twice, comprising afoliaceous pre-cut blank having: a rectangular back part; at least oneside flap joined to a first lateral side of the back part; a bottom flapjoined to a bottom side of the back part; and a closing flap joined to atop side of the back part, said top side being opposite the bottom side,wherein a first fold line is located at the transition between the backpart and the closing flap, the closing flap being divided into a firstsection and a second section by a second fold line running parallel tothe first fold line, the first section being located between the firstand second fold lines; and the envelope further comprising an adhesivestrip for sealing the envelope for a first mailing such that the firstsection comes to lie upon the second section and the second sectioncomes to lie upon the bottom flap.
 2. The envelope of claim 1, whereinthe second fold line divides the closing flap approximately at a ratioof about 1:1 so that the height of the first section measured from thefirst fold line is approximately the same as the height of the secondsection measured from the second fold line.
 3. The envelope of claim 1,wherein, when the second section is reversed toward the first sectionalong the second fold line, and the following is provided forsimultaneous imprinting: an area for imprinting an address field for thefirst mailing on the bottom flap; and an area for imprinting a returnaddress field for a second mailing on the second section.
 4. Theenvelope of claim 3, further comprising a second adhesive strip on thesecond section for sealing the envelope for a second mailing such thatboth the first and the second sections come to lie upon the bottom flap,substantial coplanar, and the area of the address field is completelycovered by the second section.
 5. The envelope of claim 4, wherein, whenthe envelope is sealed by means of the second adhesive strip, theclosing flap extends almost over the entire height of the bottom flap.6. The envelope of claim 3, further comprising a second adhesive stripon the second section for fixing the closing flap on the open envelopesuch that the first section comes to lie upon the second section and thesecond section comes to lie upon the back part.
 7. The envelope of claim3, wherein, when the second section is reversed toward the first sectionalong the second fold line, there is further provided for thesimultaneous imprinting at least one area for imprinting at least onedata field on the bottom flap, and wherein the data field containsinformation on the envelope content to be mailed.
 8. An envelope formailing through the post at least twice, comprising a foliaceous precutblank having: a rectangular back part having first and second oppositelateral sides, a bottom side, and a top side; a rectangular bottom flapjoined to the bottom side of the back part and foldable therealong tosubstantially overlie the back part; means for joining opposite lateralmargins of the back part and closing flap to form a pocket open at thetop and closed at the bottom and the opposite lateral sides; arectangular closing flap joined to the top side of the back partopposite the bottom side; a first fold line at the transition betweenthe back part and the closing flap for folding of the closing flaptherealong to a first mailing configuration in which the closing flapoverlies and substantially completely covers the bottom flap which, inturn, overlies the back part; a second fold line running parallel to thefirst fold line approximately midway between the top and bottom of theclosing flap and dividing the closing flap into a first section betweenthe first and second fold lines and a second section between the secondfold line and a top free edge of the closing flap, for folding of theclosing flap along the second fold line and along the first fold line toa second mailing configuration with the first and second sectionsoverlying an upper portion of the bottom flap which, in turn, overliesthe back part but leaving a bottom portion of the bottom flap exposed;and means for sealing the blank in one of the mailing configurations fora first mailing thereof to a first adressee and in the other of themailing configurations for a subsequent mailing thereof to a secondaddressee.